HM to Open Store at Seminole Town Center Mall in Sanford by Orlando

H & M to Open in Sanford FL

10/07/09 UPDATE: Official store opening of H&M at the Florida Mall is October 15th, 2009! I think it is safe to say that the Sanford store will most likely open the same day. How exciting!!

YAY!! As confessing shopaholic, lifelong fan (since I was 13 years old) and supporter of numerous “Bring H&M to Orlando Groups” I am super excited to say: Seminole Towne Center Simon Mall is announcing on their store directory page that H&M will open a store at their mall in Sanford FL and so is H&M on their web site!!!

I had just discovered this while writing a post about the Seminole Towne Center. Of course, only few of you will understand my excitement about this but from an angle that is not all about their fantastic fashion and clothing (while in Germany over 75% of my clothes were H&M) – this is great news for Sanford and the Seminole Towne Center in particular. This will bring lots of H&M fans of the area to the mall and with them business for surrounding business owners. From what I have heard through my facebook H&M fan group (yep, that’s how far I went), the other location will be supposedly in the Florida Mall.

I will post any news here when I find out more. And in case you know more about this, please feel free to share your info here

Day 249 – Memorial Day Weekend German Style

Jose and his cousins by Magnolia Square in Sanford

Jose’s cousins from Colombia are visiting for a week. They arrived today and we thought, what better way to introduce them to life in Sanford than bringing them right into the heart of Sanford. Despite the rain (yes, it is still raining after a week!!) we managed to get somewhat dry to our destination: the German restaurant, the Willow Tree Cafe, in Sanford – admittedly and not surprisingly my favorite restaurant not only for food but also atmosphere, so please excuse all the many posts I have already dedicated to this wonderful place but I just happen to be there a lot as it seems

As a table of 13 we did a fairly poor job “killing the boot”, I have seen better days. Nevertheless we had a blast as usual and a good Memorial Day weekend Sunday in Sanford.

Below are some pictures of us and the huge Grillplatte Jose and I shared – the Leberkaes was excellent!

Jose and his cousins by Magnolia Square in Sanford

Day 248 – Garage Hang Out

Random Garage Shot

Excuse the randomness of this post but sometimes life is random After a party we stopped by a friend’s house and sat together in the garage enjoying some beer. From where I was sitting I just took a shot of our friend’s beloved motorcycle and his son’s smaller version. The bike is up for sale so in case anyone is interested in a Yamaha (I think it is) let me know and I can get you the details.

I like garage hang outs once in a while, they make me feel young again and have something nostalgic – even though, in Germany there really isn’t a garage hang out culture so I never got to do this. Must be from all the movies I have watched of young people sitting in garages, holding band practice, building and hacking web sites or whatever else you can do in a garage (besides storing old, useless things and Christmas decoration)…

Day 247 – Seminole Town Center Mall in Sanford FL

Seminole Towne Center Mall Sanford

247 Days and other than in a quick post about Santa at the mall I hadn’t yet mentioned one of my favorite places in Sanford: the Seminole Towne  Center Mall (yes, it is spelled with an “e”!). Well, I’m saying favorite places because I just like shopping in general.

I have to admit, there are prettier malls in Central Florida, like my favorite, the Mall at Millenia or the new Prime Outlet Mall. (Sorry for the pic, it isn’t helping so much either but it was another rainy day in Sanford and I really wanted to blog about the mall today…will post a nice one later on!) But if you live in Sanford and the surrounding area, there really is no reason other than a must have item from a store that is not present at the Seminole mall, to skip this convenient shopping location. On my quest to help local businesses I am now visiting (and shopping) more often at the Seminole Towne Center. Wouldn’t it be just awful for this area if the mall should close? So please, despite its lack of fanciness, support this mall so we all get to enjoy it for years to come.

Below is a list of stores located at the Seminole Towne Center, along with opening hours and the exact address in case you aren’t from Sanford (because honestly, if you are, there’s no way you could miss the huge cement block right off Exit 101 C in Sanford

Seminole Towne Center
200 Towne Center Cir
Sanford, FL 32771
(407) 323-2262

Seminole Towne Center Mall Directory:

Accessories
2 Guys Cellular (Metro PCS)
Acme Cap
All Cell Design (Sprint)
AT&T
Claire’s Boutique
Coach
Costumes, Gags and Gifts
H&M (Coming Soon – What??? I am just seeing this! This deserves a separate blog post!! Huge NEWS!!!)
Hat Shack
House of Belts & Buckles
IPhone IPod
J.B. Robinson Jewelers
Oriental Charms
Perfume & Jewels
Piercing Pagoda Plus
Sol
Squeem
Sunglass Hut International
Sunny Shades
The Bear Factory
Tilly’s
Zumiez

Cards / Books / Gifts / Stationery
Borders Express
Brookstone
Coliseum of Comics
Gifts of the Season
JerieAnne’s Hallmark
Spencer Gifts
The Bear Factory
Things Remembered

Children’s Fashions
Costumes, Gags and Gifts
Dazzle
Disney Store, The
Gymboree
H&M
The Children’s Place
Tilly’s

Cigars / Tobacco
Smoking Everywhere

Department Stores
Belk
Dillard’s
JCPenney
Macy*s
Sears

Entertainment
Coliseum of Comics
Costumes, Gags and Gifts
EB Games
Simon Kidgits Korner Play Area
Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster – FYE
United Artists Theatre

Health and Beauty
Bath & Body Works
Deep Sea Cosmetics
Escape Day Spa
GNC
MAC Cosmetics
Miracles of the Dead Sea
Perfumania
Perfume & Jewels
Perfume Collection
proactiv SOLUTION
The Body Shop Skin & Hair
Things Forgotten
Victoria’s Secret Beauty
Vitamin World
Yachter Family Chiropractic

Home Furnishings
Ambiance
Brookstone
Oriental Charms
Relax In Comfort
Select Comfort
Yankee Candle

Jewelry
AA Jewelers
Belk Fine Jewelry
Gordon’s Jewelers
J.B. Robinson Jewelers
Kay Jewelers
L&K Jewelers
Mayor’s Jewelers
Perfume & Jewels
Piercing Pagoda
Piercing Pagoda Plus
Sam’s Watch & Jewelry
The Gold King
Zales Jewelers

Luggage
Coach

Men’s & Women’s Fashions
Aeropostale
American Eagle Outfitters
Anchor Blue
Buckle
H&M
Hollister Co.
Hot Topic
PacSun
Tilly’s
Zumiez

Men’s Fashions
Adam’s Menswear
Anchor Blue
Buckle
Costumes, Gags and Gifts
Hollister Co.
Sacino’s Formalwear
Tilly’s
Zumiez

Music / Electronics / Video
All Cell Design (Sprint)
AT&T
Brookstone
Cell All
EB Games
fye – For Your Entertainment
Hot Topic
In Touch Wireless
IPhone IPod
Radio Shack
Sprint
Sprint NEXTEL Wireless
T-Cellular
T-Mobile
The Mobile Solution
The Piano Shoppe

Optical / Eyewear
LensCrafters
Optical Outlets
Sears Optical
Vision Works

Photography
JCPenney Portrait Studio
Jon Thomas Photography
Olan Mills
Sears Portrait Studio

Restaurants (order at the counter)
Cajun Cafe Grill
Charley’s Grilled Subs
Chick-fil-A
China Max
Dairy Queen / Orange Julius
Hovan Gourmet
Maki of Japan
Natures Table Cafe
Sbarro
Subway
Taco Bell
Wendy’s

Restaurants (order via wait staff)
Hooters
Olive Garden
Orlando Ale House
Red Lobster
Ruby Tuesday
Steak & Shake

Services
2 Guys Cellular (Metro PCS)
All Cell Design (Sprint)
AT&T
Cellular Sales of Verizon
Dillard’s Travel
Empire Today
Escape Day Spa
Hat Shack
Hot Heads Salon
In Touch Wireless
JCPenney Styling Salon
John’s Heel and Sew
Le Nails
LensCrafters
MasterCuts
Optical Outlets
Perfect Brow Art
Regis Salons
Sears Auto Center
Sears Optical
Sears Portrait Studio
Seminole Nails & Spa
Sprint
Sprint NEXTEL Wireless
Trade Secret
Vision Works

Shoes
Finish Line
Foot Locker
Journeys
Lady Foot Locker
Payless ShoeSource
Rack Room Shoes
The Children’s Place
Tilly’s
Traffic Shoes
Zumiez

Specialty Food
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
Bourbon Street Candy Co.
Cinnabon
Dippin’ Dots
Godiva Chocolatier
Haagen Daz/ Nestle Toll House
Indigo’s Fruit Smoothies
Natures Table Cafe

Specialty Shops
AT&T
Bath & Body Works
Best Friends Puppy Boutique
Best of As Seen on TV
Brookstone
Coach
Hat Shack
Jon Thomas Photography
Perfumania
proactiv SOLUTION
Sears Portrait Studio
Smoking Everywhere
Spencer Gifts
The Body Shop Skin & Hair
Things Remembered
Tilly’s
Trendy Teachers

Sporting Goods / Activewear
Champs Sports
Finish Line
Foot Locker
Journeys
Team Choice
Team Sports USA
Zumiez

Toys and Games
Disney Store, The
EB Games
The Bear Factory
Trendy Teachers

Women’s Fashions
Anchor Blue
Ann Taylor
Buckle
Caché
Charlotte Russe
Christopher & Banks
Coldwater Creek
Costumes, Gags and Gifts
Fredericks of Hollywood
Hollister Co.
Lady Couture
Motherhood Maternity
New York & Company
Papaya
Rave
Talbots
Tilly’s
Victoria’s Secret
Wet Seal
Zumiez

Day 245 – Magic vs Cavaliers Game One

Magic vs Cavaliers

Initially I wanted to take a picture of the American Idol Finale that took place tonight but I was too slow/too involved and before I could take the photo the show was over… What a great finale though, I was surprised and impressed how well it was organized. Surprised about the winner too, but oh well…

Anyway, so I did get a chance though to take a picture of the Magic game (game 1 against the Cavalliers) that was going on at the same time. We had recorded it and watched it after the AI show. I am usually not a big sports fan (unless it is European soccer) but Jose has gotten me quite interested in basketball, or at least the NBA championship (sorry if I make mistakes here, I am an absolute newbie…) and so I have been watching the last quarters of several of the Magic games. I think I can get used to the rules (never was able to grasp American Football) and it can be quite exciting to watch a game, especially when watching it with cheering friends

I look forward to seeing how far the Orlando Magic can make it – who knows, they may win the whole series? (Am I outing myself now for not knowing better that there is NO chance in the world? I honestly don’t know…and I’m sure nobody here can relate to it when I say, Greece won the Euro Cup, therefore, in sports anything is possible…)

PS: I would love to see the Lakers play here in Orlando (in case the Magic can beat the Cavs), would try to get a ticket but I heard they sell within minutes…

Day 246 – I-4 East and West

I-4 Sign

So, living in Orlando, everyone gets to know Interstate 4 (I-4), whether you like it or not! Like most interstates in the US, I-4 seems to be chronically congested or under construction. I don’t know how many hours of my life I have spent sitting in traffic on I-4, but I know it’s been too many!

Random Facts:

• I-4 connects Tampa and Daytona Beach across Central Florida (southwest to northeast)
• Worst times to take I-4: 6:30am-9am and 4pm-7pm
• Sanford Exits: 101A, 101B (connects to toll road 417), 101C, and 104
• From Sanford to Daytona Beach it’s approximately 35 miles; Sanford to Tampa approximately 105 miles

Here is a web site that discusses everything there is to know about I-4, enjoy

Interstate 4

Day 244 – Sylvan Lake Cemetery

Sylvan Lake Cementery

Very fitting for the general mood after a full day rain (and it continues!) I drove by the Sylvan Lake Cemetery today on my way from the house to the office. Funny, but this is the first time I noticed this little cemetery off Wayside Drive. It must have been the gloomy weather that made me more aware of it. Well, I stopped and took my daily picture.

All I could find out about this cemetery in Sanford is that it is 120 years old. If you know more about it, feel free to post your info here!

Day 243 – And then it started to rain in Sanford…

Rainy Days in Sanford FL

The news had announced it – I didn’t believe it: a full week of rain was to hit Central Florida. After a period of dryness – in fact, I think it hadn’t rained in over 3 weeks) – rain was going to cover the counties. Well,  I woke up Monday morning and it was still pitch black outside, and stayed like it all day – could the news have been right? Yep, they were! Floods of water came down – and I got to take a second and third shower on my way from the house to the office. My daily picture is a quick shot from the inside of my car just before I am to sprint into the safe and dry office at Watson. Doesn’t it look like it was taken under water? It took about an hour to dry off – thank goodness I am the proud owner of a space heater!!

Day 242 – Ceviche Orlando First Try

Ceviche Orlando

Were we looking forward to a night of Tapas and Spanish dining!! My friend Diana and I had it all planned out and promised Jose and Mike a true feast. So, of course, in order to prepare for this night of gourmet dining, we did not eat a bite all day (of course with exception for my beloved must-have breakfast). Come 6pm we are heading over to downtown Orlando, hungry as it can be, and full of expectations and dreams of “queso Manchego” and “jamon Serrano” and a glass of fine red wine – because that is what both, Diana and I have heard from numerous friends. In fact, when asking about Ceviche, I have receive 100% positive feedback.

Well, there was just one little problem: Ceviche is NOT open on Sundays!!! Ahhhh!! So two German girls plan an amazing dinner night – do all the research and prep their guys – and then this??? Yes, it’s true, we were standing in front of locked doors with empty stomachs – and had to hear jokes all night about how bad Germans plan…

So, this was our first try at Ceviche in Orlando. Nothing but hot air – and it’s our fault. We ended up going to Amura on Church because it was the closest open location we could find that day.

Nevertheless, there will be a next time! I promise, Ceviche, I will taste your tapas and based on what I have heard chances are I will be very happy!

If you’re curious about Ceviche, check out their web site here. I will soon post more about our, hopefully soon approaching, second try at Ceviche on this blog!!

And here for all of you, the opening hours of Ceviche so you don’t have to go through what we went through

Ceviche Orlando – Hours of Operation
Dining Room:
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Mon)
5 p.m. – Midnight (Tues-Thur)
5 p.m. – 1 a.m. (Fri-Sat)
Flamenco Room:
5 p.m. – 2 a.m. (Tues-Sat)
Closed Sunday

Ceviche Orlando
125 W. Church St.
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (321) 281-8140

Day 241 – Limoncellos Waterfront Restaurant in Sanford – formerly Oscars

Limoncello's Sanford

Fantastic View of Lake Monroe

When I first heard about Limoncello’s, Sanford’s new waterfront restaurant, I didn’t realize that this place has now taken Oscar’s Waterfront Bar and Grill (I had blogged about the restaurants of the Sanford Marina on Day 78). Actually, after talking to the Limoncello’s manager, I found out that Limoncello’s is still under the same management and owner, the only thing that has changed is the menu: it is now, as the name already gives away, Italian.

So we went for dinner Saturday night to check out Limoncello’s. One thing is for sure – the view of Lake Monroe still is the same: spectacular! Definitely sit outside on their large screened in patio so you don’t miss it! The atmosphere is casual, yet romantic and idyllic. I think Limoncello’s makes the perfect restaurant for a date. Pick one of the tables closest to the screen and set your chairs to overlook the peaceful lake!

Waterfront Dining in Sanford FL

I have to say though that I was a bit disappointed by the food. I realize of course that the view makes up for it and that the dinner prices are set based on the view. I had the seafood Alfredo and it was ok, just not as great as it could have been and for what you’d expect from a waterfront grill. Everyone else also was just mildly satisfied. If you are expecting great Italian food, this is not the place to get it. And if you choose to eat maybe sticking to pizza might be your best bet. The Tiramisu was pretty good though.

I personally will go back, however only for an afternoon of sitting on the outdoor deck that overlooks the Lake Monroe and enjoying a cold beer or glass of wine – or to meet up friends for an after dinner drink.

Check it out though, because, like I said, the view definitely makes up for any lack of food satisfaction – plus, we all have a different taste anyway!

Little tip: When leaving, rush to your car, then open and close the doors quickly – otherwise the mosquitoes are going to eat you alive! We made the mistake to dwell on outside the restaurant on the parking lot for a good 15 minutes… ouch!

Here is their info:

Limoncellos Waterfront Restaurante
530 N Palmetto Ave
Sanford, FL 32771
(407) 323-1911

Outdoor Deck - Perfect for a lazy afternoon